Boetsch entered the UFC in February of 2008 as a late replacement, taking on David Heath at UFC 81, where he earned an impressive first-round TKO over the then budding light heavyweight prospect. The win helped establish himself as an exciting fighter in the new organization, however his career in the UFC has been a roller coaster ride at that, much like Kendall Grove. And while both men remain fan favorites, they will both likely be fighting for their jobs come this May.

UFC officials made the bout public just this past Monday, where the two middleweight fighters will be meeting opposite one another at UFC 130 which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on May 28th.

Both men find themselves in a must win situation, as both are coming off of losses in their last outings.

Boetsch has been in and out of the organization since his inception, and he recently made a return in 2010 where he picked up a dominant decision win over Todd Brown last August for UFC 117, however thereafter lost to fast rising prospect Phil Davis this past Novemeber via submission in the second-round of their 205-pound affair. The submission loss was the first of his five-year career.

Kendall, meanwhile, has yet to find proper footing in the organization since his debut in 2006 where he defeated Ed Herman in the finals of the TUF series, where both men earned a six-figure contract due to their rousing three-round fight, one of the best in the company’s history.

In his last six outings, Grove has gone 3-3 alternating wins and losses during the stretch. In his last outing, Grove took on divisional great Demian Maia, losing a spirited decision to the grappling ace last December for the TUF 12 finale show.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the news? Who do you think takes this bout? Sound off in the comment section below.

According to a report from MMA Weekly (warning: link features graphic images and is not for the squeamish), Davis discovered a heinous two-inch gash shortly before BJ Penn fought Matt Hughes at UFC 123. The cut had been missed when Davis went for his post-fight doctor examination, and upon further inspection, the on-site doctor discovered a deep cut that went all the way down to the bone. Davis ended up requiring thirty-six stitches in order to close the wound. Left untreated, the damage could have been quite severe.

Here’s what “Mr. Wonderful” had to say regarding the situation: “I missed it, the UFC doctors missed it, and we saw a little blood trickling, but neither I nor the doctor had any idea it was as bad as it was… Thank God I didn’t go home like that. Knowing me being me, I wouldn’t have gotten medical attention right away and I would have gangrene and I’d probably lose my foot or something. Not even joking. It was cut all the way to the bone.”

I’m glad that Davis can breathe a sigh of relief and come back from this injury virtually unscathed. Like Davis himself said, gangrene is no joke. And believe me, fans and friends, a cut that deep that goes unnoticed is practically an open invitation. I look forward to seeing what’s next for “Mr. Wonderful” once he returns.

I honestly think that the future is quite bright for Phil Davis. With this fourth straight win in the UFC, Phil Davis has now spent half of his short two-year career as a Mixed Martial Artist inside the world’s most prestigious MMA promotion. Phil Davis had a banner year in 2010: he competed four times, won every single bout, and finished two of them. His performance over Boetsch even earned him a “Submission of the Night” award. 2011 just might see Phil Davis firmly assert himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ridiculously star-studded UFC Light Heavyweight division.

In the immediate future, I think Davis deserves a co-main event slot on a “Fight Night LIVE” card. Not only should the UFC be giving him more mid-level opponents, I think they should also test his drawing power. Davis looks to have all the tools necessary to become a big star in the UFC, so I’m all for pulling the trigger and seeing just how far Davis can go.

And what about you, fans and friends? Any predictions for what the future holds for “Mr. Wonderful”?

UFC 123 took place in the suburbs of Detroit, at the Palace of Auburn Hills before a stellar crowd. The main event of the evening was billed as a battle between two former light heavyweight champions in Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida.

While the 205-pound match up was the main affair, a few men shined a little bit brighter then the rest, and have since been the hot topic of discussion, and deservedly so.

BJ Penn completed a trilogy with rival Matt Hughes, serving as the co-main event of the evening during lat nights festivities. Penn struck hard early when he dropped the UFC Hall of Famer in just a few seconds inside of the first round. The former welterweight champion in BJ capitalized on the opportunity to finish Hughes on the ground, where a few additional punches sealed the deal. And at just 21 seconds inside of the very first round, Penn was declared the winner. For his efforts, “The Prodigy” picked up the nights “Knockout of the Night” award, and has now snapped a two-fight losing streak.

Phil Davis, one of the budding contenders in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, did not disappoint those in attendance when he was able to finish Tim Boetsch inside the second round. The NCAA Div. 1 wrestling champion was able to take down the savvy UFC veteran early and often, and in the second round was able to control “The Barbarian” with his budding Jiu-Jitsu skills, eventually looking up a modified kimura lock, and forced the tap out not once..but twice. The referee did not see the initial tap, but caught the second, which is unfortunate for Boetsch, but he appeared fine following the bouts conclusion. For his efforts, Davis picked up “Submission of the Night” and also pocketed a cool $80k. He is now 4-0 in the UFC and remains undefeated as a professional.

Joe Lauzon and George Sotiropoulos had some bad blood heading into the cage, and it showed in the first round. Heading into the bout, Lauzon complained of George’s fighting attire, which consisted of several applications on his legs, including the traditional shorts, knee pads, ankle supporters, and additional garments. But, cooler heads prevailed and the bout went on as scheduled. Lauzon was sharp in the opening round, stuffing takedowns and working well inside the clinch with short strikes, and clipped George on a few occasions. The second round though was a different story, and the Aussie native was able to work his strong Jiu-Jitsu game, eventually submitting “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran with a kimura. Both men picked up the nights “Fight of the Night” award for their strong performances.

So, MMA peeps, do you agree with the winners? Do you think anyone else was more deserving of said honors? If so, speak up. Sound off in the comment section below.

Next for Karo Parisyan: I’m not unsympathetic to Karo Parisyan, I’m just very skeptical. And his one-sided loss at UFC 123 pretty much proved me right. Parisyan was a shadow of a shadow of his former self, and I don’t think Karo Parisyan belongs in the UFC. He’ll be back to fighting overseas or in mid-tier promotions in the US before he inevitably calls it a career and closes the book on one of the most interesting “what could have been” stories in Mixed Martial Arts.

Next for George Sotiropolous: I know this next statement is going to come off as incredibly bold, but, hey, I’m in the mood to be incredibly bold. So here it is: I’m predicting that George Sotiropolous will be the UFC Lightweight Champion before the end of 2011. Everything he’s done up to this point leads me in that direction. His victory over Joe Lauzon was yet another example of how well-rounded he is, how he’s able to remain cool under pressure, and how he has the killer instinct necessary to become a champion. Big, big, big things are in store for George Sotiropolous.

Next for Maiquel Falcao: Something tells me that the UFC is going to do whatever they can to get rid of Maiquel Falcao. For one, he ruined the hotstreak of Gerald Harris, and the UFC had been building him up as the next big monster athlete. Secondly, Falcao earned himself no fans when he coasted in the third round and basically stopped fighting once he realized that he had won the first two rounds and didn’t really have to do anything if he didn’t want to. Falcao is going to be facing some incredibly stiff competition in the coming months, and if he loses more than once I think the UFC will wash their hands of him.

Next for Matt Hughes: What a trip it’s been for Matt Hughes. And no matter what anyone else says, I personally don’t think the trip is over. Hughes is going to come back, he’s certainly not going to end his career on perhaps the biggest loss he’s ever had to endure. He’ll face a lower level of competition when he returns, but he will return. There aren’t many steps left on the comeback trail for Matt Hughes, but this loss to Penn is a temporary roadblock and not a permanent impasse. Sooner rather than later we’ll see Hughes back in the Octagon and winning again.

Next for BJ Penn: It’s been announced that Penn will face Jon Fitch at UFC 127 in Australia, and I for one can’t wait to see that fight. I’ll have more to say about this in the coming days, but for now, I’ll say this: love him or hate him, I think Jon Fitch is the perfect fighter to beat BJ Penn. Stay tuned.

Next for Quinton Jackson: With a big (albeit controversial) win over a great opponent, the UFC will officially begin building “Rampage” back up towards a title shot. Jackson will be facing some big threats very soon, look for him to remain on a steady diet of top-level competition. Before 2011 is through I think we’ll see another major rematch for Rampage, whether it be against Rashad Evans or Mauricio Rua.

Next for Lyoto Machida: The man who once won sixteen straight fights has now lost two straight. It’s a tough time to be Lyoto Machida. I personally think Machida may be the next man to test out Jon Jones, or possibly Ryan Bader. As much as it pains me to admit it, I think the UFC will soon be testing out Machida as a gatekeeper and seeing how he does. But if it happens, I also predict that Machida will blast the competition and firmly put himself back “into the mix”. It’s always darkest before the dawn, and Lyoto Machida isn’t going anywhere.

So that’s what I think, fans and friends. What about you? What do you think the future holds for the big winners and losers of UFC 123?

Quinton Jackson defeats Lyoto Machida via Split Decision. BJ Penn defeats Matt Hughes via KO (strikes) at 0:21 of Round 1. Maiquel Falcao defeats Gerald Harris via Unanimous Decision. Phil Davis defeats Tim Boetsch via Submission (Kimura) at 2:55 of Round 2. George Sotiropoulos defeats Joe Lauzon via Submission (Kimura) at 2:43 of Round 2. Brian Foster defeats Matt Brown via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:11 of Round 2. Mark Munoz defeats Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision. Dennis Hallman defeats Karo Parisyan via TKO (strikes) at 1:47 in Round 1. Edson Barboza defeats Mike Lullo via TKO at 0:26 of Round 3. Paul Kelly defeats T.J. O’Brien via TKO (strikes) at 3:16 of Round 2. Nik Lentz defeats Tyson Griffin via split decision.

I have very, very mixed feelings in regards to the main event. I consider myself a fan of both men, but a bigger Machida fan. I think this is a fight that’s going to be debated at length for the next several weeks, at the very least. I think it was a very close fight with the third round unquestionably going to Machida. However, with or without controversy this match managed to live up to most of its potential. I’m excited for a rematch, and I think we’re going to get one sooner rather than later.

I guess this is what I get for doubting BJ Penn. It’s unquestionable and undeniable: BJ Penn is back on the comeback trail and perhaps better than ever. He looked amazing against Matt Hughes, who I and many other people thought had more than a passing shot at beating “Baby Jay”. BJ needed a big and dominant win in about the worst way possible, and he got just that at UFC 123. No matter what the future holds for BJ Penn in either the Welterweight or the Lightweight division, one important question was answered at UFC 123: BJ Penn is not done. Not by a long shot.

I also noticed that the “UFC 123 Prelims Live” special delivered a solid hour of action to lead into the official Pay-Per-View telecast. Mark Munoz and Aaron Simpson gave us three good action-packed rounds, while Brian Foster and Matt Brown fought to a very entertaining submission finish. Add in a showing of the Parisyan/Hallman fight that took place earlier in the evening, and you had ample reason to tune in and watch some free MMA on TV.

Overall, UFC 123 was a very strong event with several noteworthy fights. I think we’ll be feeling the repercussions of this event for quite some time, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for some of the night’s big winners and losers.

And what about you, fans and friends? What did you think of UFC 123?

George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon: This could end up being a great fight…depending on which George Sotiropolous shows up. But I don’t think there’s any doubt that George will win this one. At least, I’d be incredibly surprised if Lauzon pulled out the victory. For all intents and purposes, Sotiropolous is being groomed as the next big threat at Lightweight while living up to that mantle. Look for him to take the submission win during Round 2.

Phil Davis vs. Tim Boetsch: I have to admit, I’m not too familiar with either fighter. To me, it seems as if Boetsch has more experience in the UFC while Davis has more potential as a young and undefeated UFC newcomer. We might just have a very entertaining war on our hands. Based on his undefeated track record and his penchant for toughing it out, I’m thinking that Phil Davis takes a hard-earned Unanimous Decision at the end of three good rounds of action.

Gerald Harris vs. Maiquel Falcao: There seems to be no stopping Gerald Harris. The man is on a ten-fight win-streak, a five-fight TKO streak, and has stopped each and every single one of his opponents since August 2008, when he last recorded a Decision win. But Maiquel Falcao is also on a very high win-streak (seven) with a huge amount of finishes. This fight doesn’t just have sneaky “Fight of the Night” potential, it may be good enough to land on some people’s “Fight of the Year” lists. Look for Gerald Harris to win by KO in Round 2 after an amazing Round 1.

Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn: If you had asked me about this match back when Penn still had the UFC Lightweight Championship, I would have answered without a moment’s delay: this is BJ’s fight to win. Now I’m honestly not so sure. I look at where Penn is right now compared to where Hughes is, and I’ve got to say: Hughes seems to have the better mentality going into this fight. Now that Hughes is fighting just for the fun of it, he’s able to take a lot of risks that end up paying off more often than not. I hate to pick against someone I’ve been such a big fan of for such a long while, but both my heart and my head tell me that Matt Hughes is going to fight his way towards a Unanimous Decision win.

Lyoto Machida vs. Quinton Jackson: I’ve said a whole lot about this fight in the days and weeks leading up to it, so I’ll keep my predictions short and sweet. We’re going to witness the rebirth of “The Dragon”. He’s going to come on strong and finish stronger. “Rampage” will put forth a solid effort, but he’ll crumble underneath a resurgent and resurrected Machida. Lyoto Machida KO’s Rampage Jackson by Round 2 at the very latest.

So that’s what I think is going to go down, fans and friends. What about you? What does your inner Nostradamus have to say regarding the big match-ups at UFC 123: “Rampage vs. Machida”?

The 11-bout card has been made official by the promotion today, including two-televised Spike TV bouts serving as the lead in for what is shaping up to be a good night of fights.

Along with the highly anticipated light heavyweight match up, a pair of former welterweight champion’s are set to face one another for a third time in order to put to rest a rivalry that has lasted for over 7 years, when BJ Penn meets UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes in the co-main event of the evening.

In addition the 170-pound fight, a pivotal match up in the lightweight division has been arranged, with two “The Ultimate Fighter” veterans squaring off on the pay-per-view event. Joe Luazon will meet George Sotiropoulos, who is currently riding a 6-fight win streak inside the octagon, with his last victory coming over the likes of perennial contender Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 116. For Lauzon, a win could vaunt him back into the title mix.

Here is the full card in it’s entirety. Thanks to MMAJunkie.com for the lovely format.

MAIN CARD

* Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida
* Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn
* Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos
* Tim Boetsch vs. Phil Davis
* Maiquel Falcao vs. Gerald Harris

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

* Matt Brown vs. Brian Foster
* Mark Munoz vs. Aaron Simpson

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

* Dennis Hallman vs. Karo Parisyan
* Darren Elkins vs. Edson Barboza
* Paul Kelly vs. T.J. O’Brien
* Nik Lentz vs. Tyson Griffin

The UFC just made official today the fight card, which will include a headlining bout pitting former light heavyweight champions Quinton Jackson versus Lyoto Machida, in a contenders bout.

Also on the card, BJ Penn and Matt Hughes try to settle the score once again when the two competitors meet for the third time. Both men have split victories, BJ Penn getting the better of the “farm boy” at UFC 46, where he was able to slip in a rear naked choke and claim the welterweight title from then champion Hughes. Matt, meanwhile, got a little bit of a taste of revenge when he was able to pound out the former lightweight star (at the time) inside of three rounds.

While no animosity exists, according to the two competitors, there is a healthy rivalry that has carried over the last 6 years of their lives, and this will give them the chance to settle the score once and for all. Hughes is riding a 3 fight win streak inside the crowded 170-pound division where he is slowly sneaking ahead of. Most recently, he continued the streak when he put to sleep Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Ricardo Almeida, with a modified guillotine win over. The victory at UFC 117 las August, was perhaps one of Hughes’ most impressive in recent years.

BJ, mean while has been on a slope, dropping his last two contests in the lightweight division, with decision losses to current champion Frankie Edgar.

Here is the card as follows: formatted by MMAJunkie.oom

MAIN CARD

* Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida
* Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn
* Maiquel Falcao vs. Gerald Harris
* Tim Boetsch vs. Phil Davis
* Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Mark Munoz vs. Aaron Simpson
* Matt Brown vs. Rory MacDonald
* Dennis Hallman vs. Karo Parisyan
* Darren Elkins vs. Edson Barboza
* Paul Kelly vs. Gabe Ruediger
* Nik Lentz vs. Tyson Griffin

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the card? If you are in the Detroit/Auburn Hills area, I highly suggest you make an effort to catch the event live. Who do you think will take which bout? Sound off in the comments section below.

After Anderson pulled out a Hail Mary, fifth round submission, after challenger Chael Sonnen dominated the Brazilian for the better part of 4 and half rounds, the Blackhouse teammate was able to pocket “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night” honors, on top of a hefty payday.

The figures below, which is formatted from MMAJunkie.com, were originally disclosed by the California State Athletic Commission, following the bout on August 7.

Anderson Silva: $200,000 (no win bonus)
def. Chael Sonnen: $35,000

Jon Fitch: $108,000 (includes $54,000 win bonus)
def. Thiago Alves: $60,000

Clay Guida: $56,000 ($28,000 win bonus)
def. Rafael dos Anjos: $12,000

Matt Hughes: $200,000 ($100,000 win bonus)
def. Ricardo Almeida: $35,000

Junior Dos Santos: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus)
def. Roy Nelson: $15,000

Rick Story: $22,000 ($11,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Hazelett: $18,000

Phil Davis: $18,000 ($9,000 win bonus)
def. Rodney Wallace: $6,000

Johny Hendricks: $40,000 ($20,000 win bonus)
def. Charlie Brenneman: $8000

Tim Boetsch: $32,000 ($16,000 win bonus)
def. Todd Brown: $6,000

Stefan Struve: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Christian Morecraft: $6,000

Dennis Hallman: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Ben Saunders: $12,000

So, Anderson and Matt Hughes were the night’s top earners, deservedly so, but…is anyone surprised by the numbers? For a long time, Anderson has been coveted by UFC President Dana White, as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, however his numbers don’t represent that. 6 figures, yes, however, a 12-0 i run in the UFC, and moves to light heavyweight would attract a larger base pay and win bonus for the Brazilian, should GSP rack in larger numbers.

Some can make the argument that yes, Georges St. Pierre is a much more popular fighter than Silva of course, at least with Anderson’s most recent performances (aside from UFC 101 and 117), but should popularity or credentials be more decisive come contract time, and a fighters due?

It’s something I run back and forth with, and can’t really decide. I guess that’s why they leave it up to head honchos to figure that kind of stuff out, but what do you think? Performance vs Popularity, which is greater?

While there will be no SpikeTV broadcast of the preliminary card, I felt that there was some attention that was need to be made to our untelevised bretheren.

Ben Saunders vs Dennis Hallman

Saunders, one of the larger welterweights in the UFC, has had an impressive run so far in his young career. After opening up to three straight victories inside the octagon, including a one round drubbing of Hawaiian Brandon Wolff, which looked reminiscent of an Anderson Silva like clinch beating, Saunders hit a road block in the form of scrappy veteran Mike Swick, but quickly rebounded with a highlight reel knockout of former contender Marcus Davis.

While his standup game is impressive in of itself, his grappling still leaves more to be desired.

And while his grappling is playing catchup with his clinch prowess, Hallman is not the kind of guy you want to have stand across from you if your still part of that learning curve.

Hallman–the proverbial journeyman, who owns an impressive 2-0 submission win streak against UFC hall of famer: Matt Hughes, is coveted as one of the more dangerous jiu-jitsu practitioners in the UFC. While he isn’t likened to a Demian Maia or even a Thales Leites, some respect is due, as 33 of his 42 wins have come by submission.

While Hallman himself is coming off of a loss to the hard-nosed John Howard in his inaugeral return to the octagon, Saunders lack of takedown defense will seal the deal for Hallman to return to form with a unanimous decision nod over the TUF vet.

Dennis Hallman via Unanimous Decision

Tim Boetsch vs Todd Brown

UFC veteran Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch makes his return to the octagon after a three-fight stint outside the promotion, as he welcomes newcomer Todd Brown, on August 8.

Brown, a former heavyweight turned 205-pounder, comes in on the heels of a 5-fight win streak, as the 37-year old hopes to make an immediate impact in his debut against a respected veteran in Boetsch, has faced some of the toughest fighters the UFC’s light heavyweight division has to offer, including Matt Hamill, Vladdy Matyushenko, and Jason Brilz.

While Browns 11-1 record looks impressive in of itself…its not. His lone loss comes to one-time UFC fighter Josh Hendricks (who lost in a first round knockout against perennial heavyweight contender Gabriel Gonzaga), his biggest win to date stands against failed kickboxer-turned-mixed martial artist, Rick Roufus.

Expect Tim to be the agressor early, and live up to the monicker of “The Barbarian”, as he pressures Todd early with powerful hooks, before eventually connecting and following up on the ground for a TKO finish.

Tim Boetsch via TKO (good ole’ Ground-and-Pound)

Stefan Struve vs Christian Morecraft

Struve, who has been hot and cold (3-2) since entering the UFC, with his debut opposite of title contender Junior Dos Santos, leaves more to be desired.

His frame, an astounding 6’11–reminiscent of the days Semmy Schilt graced the octagon, never has there been a more intimidating gumby-look-alike. At just 22 years old, while his record in the UFC does seem a tad bit pedestrian, he has a world of potential. His improving stand up game mixed in with his great ground game, will prove to be the difference maker in years to come. Rarely does a heavyweight do well off of his back, and Struve is one of the proud and few.

Mean while, Stefan will face Christian Morecraft, who’s relatively young as well in the sport, hold a perfect 6-0 record, with a penchant for punching people in the face.

While in most cases, I might go with Morecraft, as it has been well documented that Struve doesn’t have the world’s strongest chin, as he has been dropped in every single one of his UFC’s bouts, all aside from a submission victory over Chase Gormley, Morecraft exposes himself too much.

Though he may connect early with Struve, his over exuberance may be his downfall. Case in point, his fight Lee Beane was a display of true heavyweights (Morecraft, who weighs in regularly in the 260 range) slugging it out in wild exchanges and trading sloppy grappling technique is what highlighted the bout, and against Struve, thats just the wrong type of approach.

So, while I think Morecraft will be able to clip Struve, his inexperience will be his downfall, as he will rush in foolishly, leaving Struve to able to lock in another submission victory, triangle, and bouncing him back into the win column.

Stefan Struve via Submission (triangle) Rd. 2

look out for part 2, coming up..

Boetsch was originally slated to take on fellow former UFC fighter Alex Schoenauer (13-9), but Schoenauer had a scheduling conflict that forced him to withdraw from the fight.

Clark will try to buck a six-fight losing streak versus Boetsch.  He lost a three-round unanimous decision to Daniel Puder (8-0) at Called Out MMA 1 in Los Angeles August 15.

Doors will open at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday, 10 October.  Tickets starting at $20 can be purchased at RIE-MMA.com.

Boetsch talked to Fighters.com about training with Seattle-based MMA trainer Matt Hume (5-5) and fighting Schoenauer.

Fighters.com: Your first training camp with Hume ended successfully with a win over Team Quest’s Aaron Stark (9-6).  What was the most important thing training with Hume has brought to your performance and how did it help in your win over Stark?

Tim Boetsch: My training with Hume has really opened up my eyes on a lot of things. Matt’s philosophies on MMA are way ahead of the game. If you are able to fight the way Matt trains you to no one can hang with you. Matt’s style of fighting forces you to get in great shape. Anyone who has ever been in a fight will tell you that conditioning is the key to winning fights. if you gas in the first two minutes of a fight you are done!

Fighters.com: You’ve trained at several camps.  Why is Hume’s camp the right place for you and not the other places you’ve trained?

Tim Boetsch: I really like Matt’s camp for a lot of reasons but the primary reason is that Matt Hume is there. He has an incredible amount of knowledge in all areas of the game, and his fight philosophy is different then other places I have trained.  His style of training is more in line with what I believe makes a good training camp. Matt also has different methods then most “MMA” training camps out there right now.

Fighters.com: Are you staying with Matt’s camp for this upcoming fight?

Tim Boetsch: I will continue to train the way Matt tells me to for this fight. I trust his judgement. I plan on working with Matt as long as I am fighting.

Fighters.com: Are you still adding pieces to your game or are you just continuing to practice and refine what you already know?

Tim Boetsch: I have a lot to add to my game. I learned more this last training camp then I had the past two years of my MMA career. I continue to refine what I already know, and I am making changes that will improve my overall game.

Fighters.com: Your good friend Mike Ciesnolevicz (17-4) beat Schoenauer twice.  What’s been his advice on this fight?

Tim Boetsch: I have not been told for sure who my opponent is for this fight…  Mike C always has good advice for me when it comes to fighting. I can trust him to give me the lowdown on any fighter out there.  I think all he does is study fighters in the 205 weight class.

Fighters.com: Schoenauer is a good submission grappler.  You’ve never been tapped.  How does that play into your training?  Are you confident you’re going to be fine on the ground or are you advancing your grappling training to maintain that zero losses by submission stat?

Tim Boetsch: I will continue to work on my ground game. I have  lot of improvements to make in all areas. I will do whatever it takes to maintain my “zero losses by submission stat”

Fighters.com: You’ll be fighting close to home in Philadelphia.  How do you avoid coming into a fight a little too comfortable when your in your own backyard, you know the fans are behind you, and you’re the guy “supposed” to win?

Tim Boetsch: Thats the one thing about fighting, anything can happen in a fight. Going into a fight over confident or taking a fight lightly is a huge mistake. I will bring more intensity and a better game to this fight then any of my other fights in the past.

Fighters.com: How’s talks with Strikeforce and the UFC coming?  Are you near signing with either organization?

Tim Boetsch: Things with Strikeforce and the UFC are still up in the air. I am taking things one fight at time. I will go wherever I need to, to get back in the mix with the top guys in the 205 pound weight class.

Fighters.com: Do you own or ride motorcycles?

Tim Boetsch: My parents have been riding motorcycles longer then I have been alive. I have never had one though.

Doors will open at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday, 10 October.  Tickets starting at $20 can be purchased at RIE-MMA.com.

Boetsch left the Octagon with a respectable 2-2 record and tapped Team Quest’s Aaron Stark (9-6) at King of the Cage in Everett August 15.

Xtreme Couture’s Schoenauer is an original The Ultimate Fighter contestant and followed up with a 10-fight stint in the IFL.  Schoenauer lost a unanimous decision to “Ely” Paulo Filho (15-1) at Bitetti Combat 4 in Rio De Janeiro September 12.

The fight card also features a welterweight matchup between Aaron Meisner (3-1), who enters the fight off his first career loss, and Nova Uniao’s Leonardo Pecanha (7-5), who is coming off a loss himself.

Bellator middleweight Dave Branch (4-0) and Mike Johnson (3-2) will matchup.

Undefeated lightweight prospect Jeff Lentz (5-0) will fight a fighter to be named.

Doors will open at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday, 10 October.  Tickets starting at $20 can be purchased at RIE-MMA.com.

Liddell lay unconcious on the canvas for several minutes after the punch.

Evans jitter-bugged around a stalking Liddell the entire fight.  Liddell never really got a beat on him, but landed a straight right in the first round.  Evans back-pedalled and taunted Liddell with a dance.

In the second round, Liddell lunged for an uppercut and took Evans’s counter right hook square on the jaw to end the fight at 1:51.

Franklin Finishes Friend

“Ace” Rich Franklin (24-3) TKO’d his friend and former training partner “Hammer” Matt Hamill (4-2) at 39 seconds of round three with a left kick to Hamill’s floating rib in Franklin’s return to 205.

Franklin had landed the same kick consistently through the first two rounds.  In the third, the kick dropped Hamill and Franklin landed two punches before referee Mario Yamasaki waved the fight off.

Franklin took a deep cut over his right eye from a Hamill uppercut in the first round.  In the second round, Yamasaki asked a referee to take a look at the cut.

“I’m walking around with a black eye already; so, it wasn’t too bad,” Franklin said of the cut after the fight.

The fight continued; and, Hamill chose to stand with “Ace” after several takedown attempts were resisted.

Of his new weight class, Franklin said, “Cutting weight this week was awesome; but, pushing around another 20 pounds wasn’t.”

Marquardt Kayos Kampmann

Middleweight Nathan Marquardt (27-8-2) quickly KO’d kickboxer “Hitman” Martin Kampmann (13-2) at 1:22 of round one Saturday night in Atlanta.

After the fight, Marquardt said, “I knew I was better and, though he was a kickboxer, I knew I could take him standing.”

Marquardt connected early with a right head kick that plopped Kampmann on his ass.  Kampmann bounced back up, but ate Marquardt’s straights while backpedaling to cage.  At the fence, Marquardt dug an uppercut into Kampmann’s chin.  Kampmann fell and the fight was stopped.

Pellegrino Brutalizes Tavares

Before Saturday night, only two fighters had ever defeated lightweight Brazilian Thiago Tavares (13-3).  “Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (12-4) beat him twice in Atlanta.

Officially, the judges scored the unanimous decision 29-27 twice and 29-8, all for Pellegrino.

Pellegrino won a 10-8 first round on two score cards, dropping Tavares with a flush right hook and crackling uppercut.  On the mat, Pellegrino’s elbows opened up cuts on each of Tavares’s temples and under his righ eyelid.

In the second round, the only round Tavares won (paritally due to an inadvertant eye poke by Tavares), Pellegrino squeezed an armbar from his back; and, Tavares appeared to tap; but, referee Yves Lavigne missed the call.

After the fight, Pellegrino said, “I know it was super duper tight.  Yeah, he tapped.  All I remember him saying was ‘you couldn’t get me.’”

Pellegrino eeked out a close third between two exhausted fighters to put away the unanimous decision.

Barbarian Chops Down Patt

After peppering Octagon rookie Michael Patt (12-3) with right hooks, “Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (8-2) crashed a straight right through Patt’s guard.

Patt took a seat on the mat with a split lip and a faint idea where he was.  Boetsch pounded the fight closed at 2:03.

Boetsch said after the fight, “I’m pumped.  I trained real hard to get an explosive finish like this.”

Kim Barely Beats Brown

“Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (11-0-1) remained undefeated versus Matt Brown (7-7)…barely.

Kim won a split decision 29-28 twice and 28-29 for Brown.  Fighters.com scored it 29-28 for Kim; but, UFC commentator Joe Rogan told the disappointed crowd he thought Brown had won.

Kim rode Brown’s back most of round one, nearly finishing Brown in a rear naked choke while Brown stood.

Apparently, that was the controversial round as two judges and Fighters.com scored it 10-9 for Kim while Cecil Peoples scored round one 10-9 for Brown.

Kim was sluggish in round two.  Brown took advantage, capturing Kim in his Thai clinch and hammering knees to the Korean’s midsection.

In round three, Brown walked right through a square Kim left hook; but, Kim followed up with a toss into Brown’s full guard.  Kim opened up a deep cut under Brown’s left cheekbone with a slick elbow.

Kim lamented, “I hate to go to a decision.  Next time I’m going to be different.”

Brown made clear after the fight, “I don’t fight for the judges.  I fight for the fans and to finish.”

MacDonald Avenges Maia Loss

Middleweight “Athlete” Jason MacDonald (21-10) willed a second-round submission ”W” over “Punisher” Jason Lambert (23-9) after nearly being forced to tap in a guilltoine himself at the end of round one.

MacDonald said after the fight, “[The guillotine] was pretty tight; but, my head was toward the screen and I knew I could hold my breath for six seconds.”

MacDonald held on and dumped Lambert on his ass to open the second round, then passed to mount.  Lambert rolled right into J-Mac’s rear naked choke at 1:20.

“I knew he was getting tired from making the cut to 185 pounds,” MacDonald said, ”so I knew if I could take it into the later rounds I would get him.”

Chonan Earns Split Decision

Two of the three cageside judges prevented welterweight “Jucao” Roan Carneiro (12-8) from serving “Piranha” Ryo Chonan (15-8) a cold dish of revenge for 2005 TKO loss.

Chonan won a split decision by 29-28 twice and 28-29 once in favor of Carneiro.  Fighters.com scored the fight for Carneiro 29-28.

Carneiro dominated round one, flopping “Piranha” on his back and chiseling a cut over Chonan’s right eye with elbows.  Earlier in the round, Carneiro had nearly scored an omoplata transitioned from a triangle; but, Chonan rolled free.

Chonan won the second round by stuffing Carneiro’s shot and out wrestling him while landing infrequent punches.  The crowd pleaded with referee Herb Dean to stand the fighters; but, Dean let them tussle for position.

Chonan stuffed Carneiro’s shot again in the third, but rolled into Carneiro’s guard.  Carneiro landed a few shots before Chonan regained his feet.  Chonan gained top position before the round ended, but did little damage.

Hendo’ Earns First UFC “W” Since 1998

“It’s been awhile,” said “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (23-7) after squeaking a unanimous decision “W” over “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (8-2) passed the judges by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28.

A timid Hendo’ wanted no part of Palhares’s Brazilian jiu-jiu, consistently waving off the ground game throughout the three rounds.

Instead, “Hollywood” stalked with his devastating right hand cocked.

“Normally I’m more aggressive,” he said, “so, I apologize about that.

Palhares shot often, almost all of them stuffed by Henderson.  Palhares also peppered Hendo’ with an impressive array of kicks and nearly locked in two knee bars.

Hendo’ only landed his overhand right cleanly with ten seconds left in the fight, dropping Palhares.  Hendo’s pounced with two more overhands to steal the round.

Patt, who trains with Jorge Gurgel (12-4) in Ohio, submitted Jarred Taylor (2-4) in the first round this month at the Texas-based Urban Rumble Championship.

Patt will face “Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (7-2), who was TKO’d in the second round by “Hammer” Matt Hamill (4-1) in April.

Pellegrino lost his most recent fight to Nathan Diaz (9-2) when Diaz caught him in a triangle choke in the second round at Fight Night 13 in April.

Tavares also lost his last fight, to “Handsome” Matt Wiman (10-3) via second-round TKO at UFC 85 in June.

The UFC also confirmed three other preliminary match-ups, a welterweight match between “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (10-0-1) and Matt Brown (7-6), a light heavyweight match between “The Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (7-2) and James Lee (13-3), and the previously reported match between welterweights “Jucao” Roan Carneiro (12-7) and “Piranha” Ryo Chonan (14-8).

Kim made his Octagon debut at UFC 84 in May with a third-round TKO over Jason Tan (5-3).

Brown, a TUF 7 competitor, won his fight in the June finale with a TKO in round two over “No Regard” Matt Arroyo (3-2).

Boetsch fell to “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (4-1)’s punches in round two in April.

Lee lost his UFC debut in January to “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (12-7) via first-round TKO, ending a ten-fight win streak.

The former title challenger from Sityodtong, Florian, dominated the quirky computer tech.

“KenFlo” opened a gash on the back of Lauzon’s head with elbows from his full guard in the first round, but was warned by referee Herb Dean for striking behind the head.

It was a call Dean missed while refereeing a lightweight fight between “Cleat” Rich Crunkilton (16-2) and Sergio Gomez (7-2) at last week’s Las Vegas WEC event.

After the stand-up, Lauzon clinched for a takedown and stepped over Florians body in half-guard for a knee bar that turned into a Achilles lock that Florian yanked free from.

Lauzon snatched an ankle again and reclined into a heel hook that Florian was again able to wriggle free from to end the round.

The frantic mat work and elevation exhausted “J-Lau” for the second round and Florian was able to score a takedown into full mount that Lauzon never bucked free from.

Florian poured on a cocktail of elbows, straights, and hammerfists from the mount, but Lauzon defended.  Dean called an end to the fight after it was clear Lauzon was to spent to transition out of the bad spot.

In a grueling war game between undefeated wrestlers, “The Bully” Gray Maynard (5-0) won a decisive unanimous decision over “The Answer” Frank Edgar (8-1).

Maynard set the pace in the first round by stuffing Edgar’s takedown attempts and deciding when he’d take the inevitable wrestling match to the mat.

Edgar made it a scrap in the second round with crisp 1-2 combos that scored, but Maynard continued to stuff “The Answer’s” shot and score his own powerful takedowns, though neither fighter did much more than molest the other on the mat.

Edgar was gassed by round three and the bigger “Bully” slammed Edgar three times to convince all three judges he was dominant.

Earlier in the night, “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (5-1) pummeled TUF finalist Tom Speer (9-3) over 51 seconds, knocking home the stoppage “W” with a clean straight right that slumped Speer against the cage.

“I’m crunk right now, I’m real crunk,” said Johnson after the fight.

Johnson began the end with a left kick to Speer’s head as the wrestler attempted to shoot, followed by a knee that backed Speer to the cage.   Speer was out on his feet when he absorbed the death blow.

In a welterweight clash, “The Pitbull” Thiago Alves (14-3) crumpled “The Heat” Karo Parisyan (18-5) with a left knee strike to Parisyan’s head in the second round as Parisyan sought the clinch.

At 34-seconds of the round, referee Steve Mazzagatti dove across the downed fighter as he defended Alves’s follow-up pounding.

“The referee did a good job,” Alves claimed after Parisyan disputed the stoppage.  “He was out!”

Parisyan had won round one with deft, one-off striking versus the American Top Team trained kickboxer, who appeared wary of Parisyan’s takedowns. 

In his UFC debut last February, “The Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (7-2) surprised David Heath (7-3) with an onslaught ending in a first-round Boetsch TKO.

Tonight, “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (4-1) weathered Boetsch’s first round avalanche of strikes to reveal “The Barbarian” couldn’t continue his barrage passed the first five minutes.

Hamill began the fight with a powerful double-leg takedown, but couldn’t capitalize before the referee stood the fighters.

Boetsch proved effective with a repeating knee strike that split Hamill’s lip like a ripe peach, splashing blood across Hamill’s chest.

In round two, Boetsch heaved heavily from his corner.  He shot for a single-leg takedown and held Hamill’s leg as the champion wrestler hovered over him hammering punches.  Boetsch rolled into guard, but had nothing left as “The Hammer” finished him at 1:25 with undefended plugs to Boetsch’s face.

Fast-rising Nathan Diaz (9-2) submitted Kurt Pellegrino (11-4) in an air-tight leg triangle choke in the second round of their undercard match, flashing double middle fingers in the air as Pellegrino tapped helplessly.

Diaz was cut on his right eyelid by Pellegrino punches in a first round controlled on the mat by Pellegrino.

Pellegrino dumped Diaz at will and hammered punches and elbows inside Diaz’s full- and half-guard.  Pellegrino passed to side control and pinned Diaz’s arms, hammering Diaz’s unprotected face to open the cut.

But, durable Diaz escaped a lost first round.

The second round continued as the first, with Diaz getting dumped to the mat by Pellegrino.  This time, Diaz ran his guard up Pellegrino’s back and submitted the lightweight in a leg triangle at 3:06 of the round.

“He shouldn’t have pinned me down like that,” Diaz scolded Pellegrino after the hard-won “W”. 

In the televised card’s first fight, “The Assassin” Houston Alexander (8-3) got touched by “The Sandman” James Irvin (14-4) in the first exchange of their light heavyweight match.

Alexander was beaten to the punch by a right Superman punch from Irvin as Alexander launched his own right cross.

Alexander fell to the mat and Irvin followed with a right exclamation point to Alexander’s noggin as referee Steve Mazzagatti dove to Alexander’s rescue at :08 of the fight, tying a UFC record for quickest KO.

“I was still conscious,” Alexander repeated after the stoppage.

Amidst boos, Irvin challenged, “We can do it again right now.  If you want to go out into the parking lot, we can do it right now.”

 In untelevised fights, “The Dentist” Josh Neer (24-6-1) won a unanimous decision over “Dinyero” Din Thomas (20-8), who was returning from a knee injury in his last outing.

 ”Maximus” Marcus Aurelio (16-5) submitted lightweight Ryan Roberts (8-3) 16 seconds into the fight.

“Pitbull” Manvel Gamburyan (8-2) submitted Jeffrey Cox (9-5) in guillotine choke at 1:41 of the first round.

“The Carpenter” Clay Guida (23-9) TKO’d lightweight Samy Schiavo (10-5) at 4:15 of round one.

Finally, welterweight George Sotiropoulos (9-2) TKO’d Roman Mitichyan (5-2) 2:24 into round two.

The fight pitted former world champions from the UFC and PRIDE, but was overshadowed by the MMA debut of former NCAA and pro wrestling champion Brock Lesnar.

Significance was also diminished by Randy Couture‘s departure from the UFC while holding the title after defeating Sylvia in March 2007.

6’8″ Sylvia pot-shotted the Sao Paulo native from the opening ding and occasionally popped a power shot in Nogueira’s mug, even dropping him with a combo in the first session and again in the second.

The Miletich-trained “Maine-iac” fiercely dominated the opening two rounds.

Stubborn Nogueira had no quit, even as his face began to swell at the end of Sylvia’s tremendous reach.

“Minotauro” attempted takedowns; but, Sylvia’s balance is exceptional for a big man.

The train from Maine derailed in the third when Nogueira’s notorious resilience muscled the battle to the mat.

“He went for the guillotine, which we knew he was going to do,” a distraught Sylvia explained post-fight.

Nogueira became the first fighter to hold both UFC and PRIDE heavyweight titles when Tim Sylvia tapped out at 1:28 of the third round.

“That’s what he does to everybody,” Sylvia echoed the sentiments of MMA faithful who’ve watched a battered Big Nog pull out seemingly impossible victories before.

Nogueira’s victory sets up a possible first defense versus French kickboxer Cheick Kongo, if Kongo can beat Heath Herring in Columbus next month.  But, both Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski have claims to the top contender-ship too.

Sylvia may be headed for a history-loaded rematch with the man who broke his arm: Frank Mir.

Another former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Mir, defended MMA’s honor against powerhouse rookie Brock Lesnar by submitting him in a kneebar at 1:30 of the first round.

Mir got dumped on his ass early by the massive Minnesotan who hovered and hammered fists and elbows.

“He was so strong!”  Mir explained in the locker room.

Tactic and technique determined the outcome though.  “It wasn’t a textbook, perfect finish, but I ended up doing it 80% right.”

80% is all it takes versus an inexperienced opponent.  As Lesnar stood to yank his arm from an armbar attempt, Mir secured a leg and rolled into a kneebar.

“Frank [Mir] and I have some unfinished business,” Tim Sylvia had taunted at a pre-fight press conference.

The high profile “W” for Mir makes that rematch marketable.

At 185-pounds, Nathan Marquardt entered the Octagon off a loss to division champ Anderson Silva to fight 79-17-5 Jeremy Horn, a late replacement opponent.

The veteran Horn absorbed punishment on the mat before nearly catching Marquardt in a gogoplata in the first round.

It was Marquardt, however, who applied a guillotine choke during a scramble and tapped Horn at 1:37 of the second round.

After a four-year hiatus from MMA, Ricardo Almeida invoked nostalgia over his earlier successes by submitting another late replacement, undefeated Alaskan Rob Yundt, in a guillotine choke at 1:08 of round one.

Almeida is a welcome addition to the scant 185-pound division.

Lightweights Tyson Griffin and Gleison Tibau tussled for three exciting rounds to open the televised card.

The shorter fighter, Griffin, popped Tibau with precise punches while Tibau seemed to take down the wrestler at will.

In the end, the judges saw it unanimously for Tyson Griffin, though Gleison Tibau lost no one’s respect.

“Lights Out” Chris Lytle treated 13-5 Kyle Bradley‘s head like a speed bag in a 33-second TKO victory.

Light heavyweight Tim Boetsch reminded MMA fans of “Tank” Abbott in tossing Oklahoman David Heath to the mat and pummelling a TKO out of him at 4:52 of round one.

Terry Martin suffered another disappointing defeat, this time in a unanimous decision to “The Beastman” Marvin Eastman.

The event opened with a spirited lightweight scrap won in split decision by Robert Emerson over Japan’s Keita Nakamura.